Sector: Southern Italy The US II and VI Corps are both up on the line now, ready to begin offensive operations next turn.

Sector: Central Russia - OPERATION: CALLISTO The Russian air force is very tired after non-stop bridge and rail bombing. But after a lighter turn of raids, should be good to begin once again this turn. Destruction of the German rail network is absolutely critical to the operationís success.

Sector: Velikie Luki - OPERATION: CALLISTO Iím beginning to think Iíve fallen prey to my own bad habits--taking too long to set up operations. Mark seems to have shipped in a few extra divisions to this sector, including at least one more Panzer division. Iíll have to move the artillery units back for a while, and step up diversionary attacks in other sectors. Hopefully that will throw him a bit off the scent. If not, Iím going to go ahead with this anyway. Itís a manageable goal to capture Pskov. And if there are opportunities elsewhere on the Russian Front during the execution of OPERATION: CALLISTO, then I can address them at the time.

Sector: Southern Italy The first attacks by the US II Corps into Salerno slammed the Herman Goering Division, but failed to dislodge the crack German unit from the town. US artillery and naval support were able to knock the HG Division out from its fortified status, so at least thereís hope moving forward here. The British havenít started attacks yet, as theyíre waiting for the rail lines to increase supply from Messina.

Sector: Russian Front - All Central Russia Sectors Something is going on at three different points in the line. Last turn, I made a few probing attacks just to harass the Axis north of Vyazma, adjacent Yelets, and south of Voronezh. Each one of my attacks had popped a small hole in the Axis line, but I didnít think anything of it. Now, Mark has launched a little counterattack north of Vyazma, while my gains have been growing near Yelets. If these little skirmishes continue to escalate, all my planning for OPERATION: CALLISTO will be for naught, as Iíve already had to commit three Tank armies to the Vyazma situation, where Mark is actually threatening my position there. At least I havenít begun my offensive disbands yet. I was planning to do so in the next few turns.

Sector: Salerno The US II and VI Corps continued the assaults this turn on Salerno and the terrain just east of the town. The 45th Division and 1st Armored made two attacks on the town itself, defended by the Herman Goering Panzer Division and 271. Infantry Division of the 19th Armee. Both attacks beat up the Germans, but couldnít push them out of the town. One hex to the east, the 3rd and 36th Divisions attacked the 21. Panzer and 1. Skijager Divisions, with similar results as the assaults on Salerno. Following that, I ordered the 1st Armored and 45th Division to pivot east and join the 3rd and 36th to attack the Germans east of town. The Americans sustained moderate casualties, laid waste to the German units, but somehow were unable to capture the hex. The 9th Division is waiting in reserve, and will have to be committed to battle next turn to replace the most worn of the line divisions, most likely being the 36th. The 34th is on the right flank, and could be shifted west.

Sector: Strategic Bombing Campaign Raids on Duisburg, Bremerhaven, and Hamburg this turn. But the big news came from the US 8th Air Force, as it completed its first run at Ploesti, damaging the oil refineries there.